Beltway Blog — Colorado National Parks brace to turn thousands of people away in event of government shutdown

WASHINGTON — Officially, the National Park Service says they are optimistic that Republicans and Democrats will work out a deal to prevent a government shutdown.

Privately, they’re bracing to turn people away at a busy spring break time.

In Colorado, that could mean thousands of people.

There are 11 Colorado monuments, historic sites, recreation areas, national parks and the Great Sand Dunes.

In March alone, 158,377 people visited Colorado’s parks and sites. Since January, there 368,064 visitors.

There are 767 park employees and another few hundred in the administrative offices around the state.

The official word from the U.S. Bureau of Land Management Wednesday:

“In the event of a government shutdown, the National Park Service, Fish and Wildlife Service and Bureau of Land Management will close and secure park, refuge and visitor facilities on public lands. Visitor activities that require a permit, including public events, will not be allowed or will be cancelled or postponed. Visitor centers will be closed and access to park areas denied.”

If President Obama had been more willing to lead in 2010, when his party first abdicated its responsibility to pass a budget, Congress and the American people would not be where we are today – staring a partial government shutdown straight in the eye, all while trillions of dollars in debt await future generations. Majority Leader Reid and President Obama now must put politics aside, agree to modestly cut spending, move the process forward and avoid a shutdown.

Anonymous

If President Obama had been more willing to lead in 2010, when his party first abdicated its responsibility to pass a budget, Congress and the American people would not be where we are today – staring a partial government shutdown straight in the eye, all while trillions of dollars in debt await future generations. Majority Leader Reid and President Obama now must put politics aside, agree to modestly cut spending, move the process forward and avoid a shutdown.

Joey Bunch has been a reporter for 28 years, including the last 12 at The Denver Post. For various newspapers he has covered the environment, water issues, politics, civil rights, sports and the casino industry.